Former Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has passed away according to news reports.
According to ANI, she was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), in critical condition on Tuesday night. Several senior ministers, including Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, reached AIIMS after she was admitted to the hospital.
Her final tweet, three hours before her death was announced, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying she had been waiting to see this day in her lifetime, presumably referring to the decision to scrap Articles 370 and 35A from the Constitution.
प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019
She had undergone a kidney transplant operation in 2016. Citing a need to avoid dust, she did not contest a seat during the 2019 General Election.
She was a seven-time Member of Parliament and three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted after the announcement, calling her demise a personal loss.
I can’t forget the manner in which Sushma Ji worked tirelessly as EAM in the last 5 years. Even when her health was not good, she would do everything possible to do justice to her work and remain up to date with matters of her Ministry. The spirit and commitment was unparalleled.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2019
She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri.
With inputs from PTI
